Sony Shows New PDA Concept, Lowers Prices

Sony showed off a new Clie/PDA concept at a management meeting in Japan. The new prototype has a clamshell like design, a camera and built in wireless. Sony has also lowered prices across the board on many of their US handhelds.

The prototype Clie model was briefly displayed by a Sony Executive at a recent management press briefing. Sony gave very little specific information about the device other than it will include some form of integrated wireless. It is also reported to have an integrated camera on the hinge. The shape and form factor of the device loosely resembles the design of the Nintendo Gameboy Advance SP.

Longtime readers will remember that Sony first showed off a prototype of what later became the NR70 in a similar manner at PalmSource 2002. That prototype was later released less than two months following the sneak peak.

Sony lowers prices
Sony has cut the retail price of the SJ20 by $20 to $129.99, and the SJ33 dropped $50 to $249.99. The TG50 was also dropped $50 to $349.99.

Sony is offering a $50 mail-in rebate on the TG50 and all Sony Clie models have free shipping until. In addition the SJ22, SJ33, TG50 and NZ90 have mail-in offers for a free leather case.

RE: That's neat looking!!

I really hope this is 320x480 - and with landscape support (it would have to have lansdcape with this design - i guess). I am assuming this has a keyboard. I have heard comparisons to Gameboy Advance SP. I think (considering this is a PDA) a better comparison is the Zaurus folding PDA line. This design makes more sense then the N series because the keyboard can be larger by using the space more effectively - no space wasted like on the N-series. I hope this has a keyboard like the new Zaurus AND it is 320x480. Would be perfect.

RE: That's neat looking!!

Almost positive it's square. We had a team look at the angle he was holding it and also measure his head for a sense of proportion. Our conclusion is that the photo itself is slightly horizonally streched and that the device has a square screen.

RE: That's neat looking!!

RE: That's neat looking!!

The screen doesn't seem to be a touchscreen, either. It's possible it's an early alpha prototype of the PlayStation handheld gaming console due the end of next year. The screen looks somewhere between 320x320 and 320x480, so it's probably something totally different.

RE: That's neat looking!!

Hinge

The hinge doesn't look too attractive at all. It looks like the Magellan antenna on either side of the hinge. Great idea, but it needs work.

This COULD fit into what I was trying to say on the last article in one thread.

Posted 5/27 at 4:50 by me:

"IMO, they should discontinue their whole product line and revamp it starting with a BETTER version of these new NX's. 400 MHz PXA255, 64 MB RAM, cameras in these NX's at $500 and $600 as well as Bluetooth and CF slots. Then, at $400, have a TG with VG and 400 MHz/64 MB. At $300, release a unit with a PXA255 at 200 MHz and 32 MB with another VG screen. At $200, go for a cheap ARM with a 200 MHz PXA255, 16 MB RAM, and a 320x320 transflective screen. Reduce the SJ22 closer to $100-150, and you'll have a killer lineup. Seriously, there wouldn't be one thing wrong with it."

This seems to resemble what I was talking about. Not only this, but I called a lot of the specs in what the new NX's should include (retractable CF, Bluetooth, more RAM, backlit keyboard, 1.3 MP camera, but not the processor).

Really, if Sony revamped their lineup like this with this new NZ replacement at the top... wow. How could they go wrong?

-BoscoProud Member of the Top Non-Mods

RE: Hinge

I second the hinge comment. Although i REALLY love the idea of a PDA that tiny, the hinge just doesn't do it for me. Its like the unit screams "look at me! im small, portable, cute and very modern"... but then once your eye wanders to the hinge its like "um, or maybe not"

I really do love the idea of making palms so tiny, but step #1 will be to either a) lose the hinge entirely or b) redesign so it is a smidge subtler.

Understandably, this isn't the final release unit, so they might fix it up a smidge

-Pepper

I love my Palm . . . do you?

RE: Hinge

No offence Bosco - but what the hell does yr previous wish list for a new Sony line up have to do with this device? The only thing we know about the new device is that it folds in landscape orientation - you never mentioned anything about this. Not to start an argument or nit-pick - but nothing about yr list has anything to do with this, aside from the fact that it is a new design (though not "a BETTER version of these new NX's" or a TG w/VG).

Again - i dont mean to pick or sound harsh - but we already have a mike caine / pseudo-prophet :)

RE: Hinge

First question is, where is the Camera? on the hinge? Where? is it like NX/NZ factor that rotate?ps: if you look at the other picture on Cliesource, you might see that there's a little black circle on the top left side under the screen, that might be the camera too (so the camera is facing us instead of pointing out). But that's a stupid way to place a camera (unless it's dual cameras!! :)

If the Camera is on the hinge, then you CAN'T make the hinge smaller. Check the NX80, it's the smallest they can get. So if you think about it, that hinge actually house the entire camera unit, it's not that big.

Second question, how's the camera position? like the traditional NX/NZ factor? OR (this is intersting) is on the tip of the hinge? (so len is acutally pointing to the side of the machine)

Why this would be interesting? because if the camera is on the tip of the hinge, we can 1) open the screen 90 degree, 2) twist the screen half way. Now, we have a Camcorder like machine. You hold up the Clie sideway, and you can use the screen as a view finder.

The Panasonic P2102v cell phone in Japan actually has this twist, quite interesting.

RE: Hinge

>>Really, if Sony revamped their lineup like this with this new NZ replacement at the top... wow. How could they go wrong?

-- by listening to YOU! Who the eff WANTS this pissant little thing? The Powerpuff Girls?

(And, yes, Bosco, old bean, I saw your PITA comment. Traitor! *YOU* are probably BlueAnon, you wanker! Talking to yourself! God knows what else you do to yourself... and He can *keep* that disgusting knowledge too!)

(And it's spelled CANE, you dimwits.)

RE: Hinge

Yeah, notice this thread was started by me saying the hinge was pug ugly. It needs redesigning. With the right specs and a slicker design, it could easily be the handheld dream of people who have always wanted a landscape model like an HPC or Zaurus with the comfort of Palm OS and still a 2 MP camera.

And I agree with you on several tough issues and you repay me by calling me a wanker??? And a dimwit for something I didn't say??? Damn you, good sir.

RE: Hinge

Actually, I meant no harm by calling you a pain in the blank. I was actually trying to say it would be a pain in the blank for him to have to deal with you since he ripped on you good. I reread my post, realized it made ME look bad, and that's why I posted again referring to SEVERAL things I agree with you on to avoid exactly this. That was the point, damn it. Do I have to bold, italicize, underline, AND marquee to get the message across this time?

RE: Thumboardmania

I know I got a little carried away. Does this thing have a pill box for lithium? I know how popular those Blackberries are in the corporate world too. I just wish SONY would release a high-end PDA without a thumboard. I apologize to all 6th graders.

I would love to have that form-factor for a PalmOS device. The only way the N-series clamshell / keyboard design would have made sense is if they used that vaste tract of real-estate below the keyboard for a decent D-Pad. Alas - they wasted it.

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